Voltaire’s anti-Islam attacks served his campaigns against religion itself

Evidence

Voltaire’s attitude in 1742 was different from that of the mediaeval Christian only in two respects. In his tragedy (Fanatisme, ou Mahomet le prophéte) he frankly preferred to invent his own legends, rather than use those already circulating, which were apparently not scurrilous enough for his purpose; and his arguments against Islam are not only, like the mediaeval ones, such as might be used against all revealed religion: they are intended so to be used. The attack on Muhammad nevertheless made an excellent mask, and, although it was suspected of antiroyalism, the judicious Benedict XIV read it con sommo piacere. — Norman Daniel, Islam and the West, 1611 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Voltaire used Islam as a weapon against Christianity depending on tactical needs; Voltaire attacked Muhammad as a mask for criticizing Christianity itself; Voltaire’s attack on Muhammad served to attack revealed religion and royalty — Norman Daniel, Islam and the West, 1611 (+3 more)

Broader Connections

• Voltaire used Islam as a weapon against Christianity depending on tactical needs #corroborates (0.95)
• Voltaire attacked Muhammad as a mask for criticizing Christianity itself #corroborates (0.90)
• Voltaire’s attack on Muhammad served to attack revealed religion and royalty #corroborates (0.90) — Norman Daniel, Islam and the West, 1611
• Enlightenment praise of Islam extended the mediaeval attack on infidels to Christianity itself #corroborates (0.85) — Norman Daniel, Islam and the West, 1605
• Voltaire invented scurrilous legends about Muhammad because existing ones fell short #expands (0.80)
• A famous anti-Muslim polemic was in fact aimed chiefly at Jews and philosophers #expands (0.80)